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The Marian Philatelist Marian Library Special Collections

7-1-1963

Marian Philatelic Study Group of Coros, Whole No. 7 Marian Philatelic Study Group of Coros, Whole No. 7

A. S. Horn

W. J. Hoffman

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Horn, A. S. and Hoffman, W. J., "Marian Philatelic Study Group of Coros, Whole No. 7" (1963). The Marian Philatelist. 7. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/imri_marian_philatelist/7

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BULLETIN OF THE

Marian Pfiilafelic Study Qroup of CorosRev. A. S. Horn, ChairmanUJ. J. Hoffman, Editor

Vol. 1 No. 7

Business Address:SEE PAGE 46

July 1, 1963

It has been suggested by several members that it would be of assistance to them if each new issue or postal cancellation, etc. listed in our publication be coded as to the various categories and classifications of Marian Philately as was stated in our first issue. Thus, the Luxembourg stamp listed be­low would be coded "A-2" — “A" since it is a regular stamp, and "2“ because it depicts a part of her image.

Germany's new issue, "REGINA MARTYRUM",would be "A-3" and "A-6" — "A-3" as the stamp has the wording "Regina Martyrum" included in the design, and "A-6" as it was issued to honor her under one of her titles.

*****/ NEU/ ISSUES

LUXEMBOURG: (A-2) Issue date April 13, 1963. Set of 11 stamps commemorating 1000 years of Luxembourg City; among the set is the BLACK VIRGIN standing in St. John's Church in Grund; 2.50 fr. value, in colors approxima­ting those of the statue. History of the statue and church, with illustrations of the stamp on FDC, the statue, Grund area and Chapel on pages 41 and 42.

*****

NEU/ POSTAL CANCELLATIONSSPAIN: Valencia. Mar. 24-28, 1963.Symbol M and Greek letter P in hex­agonal frame, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Marian Congre­gations. (B-3, B-4, B-7)

*****SPAIN: Valencia, May 11-13, 1963. VIRGIN OF THE ABANDONED. History and illustrated FDC with cancellation on page 44. (B—2)

*****ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, May 18, 1963, OUR LADY, STAR OF THE SEA. History with illustra­ted cancellation on page 43. (B-2)

*****

/SPAIN: (A-2) Issued Mar.24, 1963, 10 pesetas value, red violet, IMMACULA­TE CONCEPTION, by Jose de Ribera,in­cluded in 10-set series for Stamp Day release featuring Ribera's art.

*****U/ITZERLAND: (A-5, A-l Miniature). Issued Feb.I

RECENT ISSUES

4, 1963. BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF EINSIEDELN, Scott Nos.398A and 399A; her statue in center tf/er main en­trance. Same design used in 1961 de­finitive issue for 2-francs, blue, Scott #526.

GERMANY: (A-3, A-6) Issued May 10, 1963, pfg. value. Commemorating the consecration of the new church of REGINA MARTYRUM (Queen of Martyrs) in Berlin Plotzensee. Design de­picts Cross of Golgotha with partially eclip­sed sun on the right. The word "Gedenkstaate"

at top is German for "Memo­rial." Issuance of stamp marks the consecration of the church which was built in memory of religious mar­tyrs of Germany's past. Off­set printed in black on

black on fluorescent paper with DPB water­mark.

EEDEMKSTATft

10

*****

ETHIOPIA:(Scott #399). From Father Horn: A re­ply has been received from the Min­istry of Posts,Telegraphs and Tele­phones of the Imperial Ethiopian Government. In it is stated "The figure in the lower left corner of the 50-cent stamp (Lalibela) is not from an ancient Madonna (St.Mary), but is a detail of a figure taken

from "The Lives of The Saints", 15th century manuscript in the National Library, Addis Ababa. The figure to the right with a staff, surmounted by a cross is from a relief of St. George from Bieta Golgoatha (Church), Lalibelal' I do not know what St.George is referred to; the one we usually venerate is always dressed in military attire. This must be some St.George who was a Bishop.

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FORTHCOMING POSTAL CANCELLATION FROffl BELGIUM

STEPSFEESTEN—Monte naken. Belgium (1213-1963) Aug. 25 - Sept. 1, 1963. In collaboration with the Guild of St. Gabriel, Belgium, there will be a great Exhibition of Religious Stamps in the city of Montenaken between Aug. 25th and Sept. 1st, 1963. This Exhibition will be arr­anged to celebrate BOO years of pilgrimage to OUR LADY OF STEPS.This Sanctuary is consider­ed to be the oldest in Belgium. The present statue of Our Lady is almost 500 years old, and the prior one was lost in 1468 on the occasion of the ravage of the City of Liege by Charles the Audacious. Special covers with reproduction of the statue and a spe­cial cancellation of Our Lady, with a text of the commemorative celebration, will be issued. Arrangements have been made for the IY1PSG New Issue Service for Postal Cancella­tions to order these covers. Interested mem­bers who are not subscribers to the New Issue Service but wish to obtain copies, should contact Mrs.Virginia Brautlecht, 517 East Lincoln Highway, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and place their order.

CHECKLIST; MARIAN POSTAL CANCELLATIONS

The following includes new issues since pub­lication of the original list in issue #6, and prior issues on which we had no informa­tion. life wish to express our thanks to Car­los Miranda Cruz, Quito, Ecuador for the use of material to illustrate and identify addi­tional cancellations from Ecuador, and to Antonio Benet, Valencia, Spain, for the can­cellations from Portugal listed herein.

j ECUADOR;-+» Guayquil, Apr. 27, 1958. This listing in

Bulletin #6 should have identifiedthe city Guayquil as being abbreviated "Gquil" on the cancellation. (B-4)

2. Cuenca, Apr. 26, 1958. SORROWFUL MOTHER'S HEART PIERCED WITH SEVEN SWORDS OVER A CROWN OF THORNS, "First Day Issue."(Same as design used for No.l listed in Bulle­tin #6. (B-4)

3. Quito, Apr. 26, 195B. Same as No. 2 above except change in name of city. (B-4)

4. Baeza, May 14, I960. IMMACULADA in Coat of Arms of City, "4th Centenary of the Founding of Baeza 1559-1959." (Same de- sion as used on stamps, Scott #657, 659.) (B-l miniature)

5. Quito, Sept.8, 1959. CHURCH OF ST. FRAN­CISCO. "Day of Issue." Authorized for

issue of The Immaculate Conception, Scott Nos. 649-653. Church pictured on cancella­tion (The Escorlal of the Andes) has on the main altar the beautiful sculpture of Our Lady called "La Immaculada de Quito." (B-5)

Ecuador #2 Ecuador #4 Ecuador #5

Buenos Aires, 20 CATHEDRAL OF THE

ARGENTINA;

2 BUENOS AIRES* ARGENTINA

fOauNiois6i4S-./&

AUSTRIA;26.

June, 1961.IMMACULATE

CONCEPTION, "Seal of Phila­telic Homage to Gral Manuel Be1grano." (B-6)

Buenos Aires (FC), May IB, 1963. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA, "Day of Issue." (Illustrated on page 43.(B-2)

Vienna, March 24, 1960. ANGEL GABRIEL,MONSTRANCE, OUR LADY'S CHURCH OF MUNICH,(to the right),and ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCHOF VIENNA (to the left.), "Postal Cancellation An- nouncing-St. Gabriel, Pa­tron of Mail and Phila- telists-World Eucharis­tic Congress at Munich

M4.CHIH IVSO

1960." (B-6)

GERMANY;32. Kevelaer, Oct. 28, 1953.

SHRINE OF OUR LADY DF KEV­ELAER, "Germany's Greatest Pilgrimage Shrine." (B-6)

33. Munich, Nov. 21, 1957. OUR LADY'S CHURCH "800 Year Celebration of Munich-14 June -31 Auqust — 1159=1958". Strip cancella­tion. (B-6)

34. Monchengladbach, Mar. 24, 1963. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP, "Hospital of Maria Hilf, Monchengladbach." Private meter cancellation. (B-2)

f y^MARIA HILF

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST

000

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PORTUGAL:

4. Braoa, Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, June 1954. ANGELS HOLDING CROWNED MONO­GRAM "A M". "Jubilee Feast of The Im­maculate Conception, 8-10 June,"(B-4)

SPAIN: ,

33

Valencia, Mar. 24-28, 1963. Symbol M and Greek letter P in hexagonal frame. "50th Anniversary of The Marian Congregations. (Illustrated on page 37.) (8-4)

Valencia, lYlay 11-13, 1963. OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED. "Virgin of the Abandoned, Patroness of Va­lencia." (Illustrated on page 44.)

Following are illustrations of cancella­tions in original checklist for which we have obtained copies to illustrate.

PORTUGUESE INDIA: (Scott #594.) In 1959 this country overprinted the 1953 issue of native art

featuring THE MADONNA. The 1953 issue is Scott #526. This item was mentioned in Bulletin #6; a copy was obtained to illustrate the overprinting. (A-l)

*****MEMORIALS

Mr. J. H. Sauve, Valleyfield, Quebec Mrs. Emma O'Brien, Phoenix, Arizona

Just after the last Bulletin went to press we re­ceived word that Mr. Sauve died suddenly. Mr. Sauve was a notable Madonna and hlarian collector. It is noteworthy that his exhibit of Marian stamps, in blocks of four, won the Gold Award at the Ninth Exposition of the Union Philatelique of the Montreal Club last February. He wrote us after the February exhibit, stating it had been a refugee priest who had encouraged his collect­ing the blocks of fours; the priest had such a collection but was not permitted to remove it from his native country since it was considered a national treasure. Mr. Sauve wrote that at the Exhibition, when receiving the Award, he thought of this priest and the encouragement he had given him. The Marian field of Philately has lost one of its most ardent and fervent coll­ectors.

Mrs. Emma O’Brien passed away in Phoenix on May 18th. It was a great loss to her many friends and fellow-collectors. A recent issue of Linn's commentated on her many years of collecting—some 35, in fact—and mentioned that in 195B Mrs. O'Brien had been elected to the Arizona Philatelic Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor accorded a stamp collector in Arizona. She had won awards for her exhibits of Madonnas, Music, Religion, and Flowers on Stamps.

On behalf of the MPSG membership, a letter of sympathy and mass offering have been sent to the families of Mr. Sauve and Mrs. O'Brien.

*****

THE FOLLOWING NAMES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE MARIAN PHILATELIC STUDY GROUP.

Hungary -■& Viet Nam #1

COMOS (Collectors of Mary on Stamps)THE CHAPLET MADONNALOREAVE MAROLDGYMADONNA NEWS LETTER MARIAN NEWS LETTER

####»

New Zealand has announced the design for its 1963 Christmas Stamp: THE HOLY FAMILY, by Titian.

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These are the first of the Spanish Local Civil 'Jar Groups listed in the COROS Handbook No. 1.

In the COROS Chronicle for June we offer this group complete, as list­ed, both perforate and imperforate, and mint. In the same issue we have a two-page ad listing the several groups of Locals, life have arbi­trarily assigned numbers to these to provide identification. If you wish to have a reprint of this listing for your future reference to the listing, ask and we will send it.

The above stamps are offered as follows:

#1 #la

Our Lady of PilarII

10 c purple and blueii

perf. imperf.

$ .10 .10

#2 Ascension 2 ptas. green and lilac perf. .30#2a n ii ii imperf. .30

#3 Major Altar 2 ptas. rose and green perf. .30#3a 11 ii ii imperf. .30

#4a Complete set of seven values (incl. la, 2a, 3a) imperf. 1.00

Pairs for twice the price, and blocks of four for four times.

It took us several months to acquire a good supply of these, which in­dicates the scarcity.

life think this bi-color set is the most beautiful of any of the Local Madonna Stamps. It will add grace and vitality to every collection which displays it, especially in blocks.

MARSHALL H. WILLIAMS

Life Member of COROS No. 18

98 East Rock Road New Haven 11, Connecticut

-40-

LUXEMBOURG: '’BLACK VIRGIN" STANDING IN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH IN GRUND

Editor's Note: Appreciation is extended to Rev. Anthony Bodson, Cure of St. Jean Church, and Antonio Arno, both of Luxembourg City, for supplying us with the following in­formation.

THE GRUND is one of the sections of Luxembourg City, the capital of the Grand-Duchy. U/hile the city itself is up on a high plateau, which was used in the past centuries as a natural fortress by the German Empire, some sections are deep down in the Alzette River Valley, and one of these is The Grund, whose church, built in 1564, is the second oldest in Luxembourg. This church stands on the banks of the Alzette River.

THE BLACK VIRGIN stands in a side chapel of the church, by the river. The chapel, called the "Distress Chapel", enclosed with wrought iron grates, was built in the 14th century, long before the church itself. The statue of the Black Madonna is found on a niche of the marble-renaissance altar from the Abbey of Marien- thal. One legend has it that it is black because it was supposed t preserve the inhabitants from the Black Plague, but it is not known with any certainty where the statue originated, whether in the Orient and brought back at the time of the Crusades or whether it was blackened by age and the smoke of candles. Like many other miraculous Madonnas, the origin of this "Black Mother of God-Help of the Distressed" is veiled in obscurity.

The Gothic statue is a wood sculptor's work of art, especially with reference to the facial expression. The clear eyes of Mary, which gaze so motherly on her clients, the smiling mouth, those loving lips, bestow upon the statue a charm which attracts and instills hope and confidence. The Virgin holds a gold lily in her right hand, and on her left arm, near the heart, rests also a black Christ Child, who is holding the world in His left hand while the right arm is outstretched.

The somewhat right to left posture, which tends to incline towards the cherished burden of the Son of God, gives the statue, together with the rich splendor of the artistically folded garment, the effect of something festive arid majestic. This statue, which no doubt existed since the 14th century, if not earlier, substantiates the antiphon in the Common Office of Our Lady from the Song of Songs - "I am black but beautiful." Hardly a day passes without someone seeking help and consolation. All pilgrims pray to her in a manner set forth in the litany: "Mary, Mother of Seven Sorrows, pray for usl In blackest fear and grief- stricken need, pray for usl" It is therefore natural that not only from Luxembourg but also from many other places, even from America, the year around come pilgrims to the Minster Church of Luxembourg to kneel and pray before the Sorrowful Mother.

On all Fridays during Lent, especially large pilgrimages come to tell the Sorrowful Mother their trials and tribulations, and with the blessing of Our Lady return home strengthened and consoled. On all Fridays during Lent, at 9:15 A.M., there is a solemn High Mass in honor of the "Mother of God-Help of the Distressed" for the intention of petitioning her for a happy hour of death. At 2:15 in the afternoon there are Stations of the Cross, ser­mon and devotions to the "Mother of God-Help >f the Distressed"; particularly on these sorrowful Fridays, at which time she is especially petitioned and venerated, does she show those in trouble that she is the Mother where need is the greatest.

-41-

THE PILGRIM CHURCH - ST.JOHN ON THE RDCKt This church was established in 1308 by Henry VII. In 1321 it uias raised to a parish church, and in the year 1618 Incorporated in the Minster Monastery; since then it is also called "Minster Church." During the French siege, in 1684, it was consumed by fire. The laying of the foundation stone of the present church took place in 1688. It was completed in 1705 according to the plans of the engineer, Hubert Laloir of Luttich, an assistant of Sebastian Le Prestre De Vauban.

963 MILLENAIRE 1963

Above the Renaissance portal of the church stands a beautiful stone Madonna. To the left of the portal is St. Benedict, and to the right St. Scholastica, both also of stone. The interior of the "Hallenkirche", skilfully restored under the patronage of memorial-care, is conceivably plain, thereby enhancing the value of the magnificent altars and furniture.

earlier Franciscan Church. TheThe High Altar and the two side altars originated in theHigh Altar is a gift of atonement of Ludwig XIV of France for the bombardment of Luxem­bourg, Christmas 1683. The work shows elements of Flemish Baroque and definitely was ex­ecuted on site. The master is unknown. The altars were set up in 1804. The extremely rich and valuable High Altar is crowned with a superstructure, which has the date "1683." Above one another is the Holy Trinity—God the Father on top, below which is the Dove, sym­bolizing the Holy Spirit, and underneath this, Christ as the Good Shepherd. To the left is St. Roche and to the right St. Hadrian. The altar picture portrays the young St. John the St.one ory

Hadrian.Baptist in the wilderness. To the right is the statue of St. Anthony of the Einsiedlers; Charles Borromeo is on a pilaster, not a part of the altar of St. John. To the left sees St. Sebastian pierced with arrows, King St. Ludwig, and, on a pilaster, Pope Greg- the Great.

On both sides of the altar table are medallions; to the left St. Francis of Assisi and to the right St. Clare. To the right and left of the High Altar are passage ways, the walls of which are decorated with scenes from the life of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Bernard. The side altars are dedicated to St. Joseph to the left, and to St. Anthony of Padua to the right.

Especially noteworthy are the Stations of the Cross. They are of beautiful enamel work from the 16th century by Leonard Limousin of Limoges. All pictures are signed "L. L. Ema- illeur du Roy." The organ is from the former Capuchin Church, now a city theater. The beautiful late gothic baptismal font, carved from stone, was formerly in the Ulrich Church which, in the year 1083, was commemorated by an act of Earl li/ilhelm of Luxembourg, and during the French Revolution secularized and sold. There are also beautiful statues of the Ecco Homo and the Scourged Christ in wood-carved niches.

MARIAH PHILATELIC STUDY GROUP

CHAIRMAN: Rev. A. S. Horn, 305 So. Wayne Street, Fremont, Ohio EDITOR: W. J. Hoffman, 9333 Fourth Avenue, Inglewood, CaliforniaADVERTISING MANAGER: Edwin T. Polodna, 1219 So 16th St., LaCrosse,

NEW ISSUE SERVICE: (postal Cancellations);Directors:

Mrs. Virginia Brautlecht Mr. Arthur W. Clinton, Jr.517 E. Lincoln Highway 390 First Ave., Apt. 6DLanghorne, Pennsylvania New York 10, New York

Published bi-monthly by the MARIAN PHILATELIC STUDY GROUP at9333 Fourth Avenue, Inglewood, California. Printed by Philatelies-International, at 228 West Fburth Street, Los Angeles 13, California

MEMBERSHIP RATES (Per Year in Advance) U. 8. , Canada and Mexico $1.00 peryear plus COROS Membership of $3. 00. Foreign: $1.50 per year plus COROSMembership of $3.50.

SPECIALIZED SERVICE 111Vatican, Religious, and Marian New Issue Service. Send for Catalogue of back issues.Lowest PriceslGaspar Mission Stamp Bureau Carthagena Station Celina, OhioVPS COROS SPA 19885 ASDA-42

ARGENTINA: DUR LADY, STAR OF THE SEA

On May IB, 1963, in commemoration of the Day of the National Fleet, the Argentine Postoffice issued a stamp on u/hich is de­picted an oil painting of the frigate "La Argentina" commanded by Hipolito Boushard in 1317. The postal cancellation applied

on first day of issue depicts a drawing by artist Horacio Alvarez Boero of an image of OUR LADY, STAR OF THE SEA in her role as Patroness of the Argentine

Navy. Jose Antonio Brovelli, of the Argen­tine SAN GABRIEL has provided us with in­formation concerning Our Lady under this title.

- \.BUENOS AIRES (FCI

. ... DIA DE EMISION18 MAT01963

ARGENTINA

On Nov. 15, 1943, the National Executive military Power authorized the issuance of a stamp with a motif for the celebration of "Week of the Sea" to be used from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 1944. The design came from the inspired conception of Del Guido and carries the medallion of the VIRGIN STELLA MARIS, Patroness of Navigators (Scott #517 Yvert #417). The inspiration of the artist was derived from historical documents which we believe appropriate to put in writing as a commentary on the first Argentine stamp reproducing the image of Mary.

Among the various names which popular de­votion and liturgy have given to Our Lady is that of "Star of the Sea", and it is of such profound and patronal meaning and beau-, tiful poetry that artists and theologians never cease to extol it. St. Bernard, the mellifluous Marian Doctor of the Church, in one of his beautiful sermons, stated the significance of this invocation ...Let us compare maty to a star because just as a star casts its light by itself withour cor­ruption, so Mary by herself without corrup­tion gave birth to Her Son; neither does the ray of light diminish the brilliance of the star, nor does the birth of Christ di­minish the integrity of the Blessed Mother. He ends with the heartfelt invocation ... If there arise winds of temptation, if we stumble against obstacles of tribulation, look at the star; if waves of pride and distraction agitate us, look at the star and call on Mary. The vesper hymn of the | Office of The Virgin gives the same signi­ficance in the first stanza of the famous

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hymn "Ave Maris Stella"... Hail, Star of the Sea, Holy Mother of The Word, Hail Perpetual Virgin, Happy door of heaven. From then on, the end of the 9th century, she has been known as "Star of the Sea", and mariners following the Bernardian invocation have taken her as a guide and protectress.

Government, by LADY, STAR OF

On Aug. 18, 1937, the National decree 112.224, proclaimed OUR THE SEA as Patroness of the Argentine Fleet. The first parish in Argentina dedicated to her under this title was erected in Port Stanley on Oct. 26, 1937. The then Bishop of Bahia Blanca, Msgr. Dr. Leandro B. Astelarra, create, the Military Naval parish of Port Belgrano.In the maritime city of Mar del Plata is situa­ted the submarine naval base, and from one of its ridges the cupola of the Chapel of Our Lady, Star of the Sea guides navigators who travel these waters. On ships, aircraft, even service autos of the Marina de Guera Camp the image of Our Lady is given a preferred place, and wherever the servicemen go they carry her image with privilege, are silent Lady undercharged itself to perpetuate it as testimony and in grateful memory.

them and enthrone it in a place of These naval detachments and marine,

witnesses of the devotion to Our this title, and now philately has

ALBUM PAGESMADONNASAU pages are 8%xll

Standard 3-ring

ORDER ATYOUR FAVORITE

DEALER or write direct

(Based on research by Father Horn)Part 1 - A to E — $4.75 (50c) Part 2 - F to L — $4.85 (50c) Part 3 - M to S — $4.65 (50c) Part 4 - S to V —$4.00 (50c)

Annual Supplements — end of October Add postage in parenthesis

(Unused postage refunded in blank pages)

K-LINE PUBLISHING, INC.1433 S. CUYLER AVE. BERWYN, ILL.

VALENCIA, SPAIN: NUESTRA SENORA DE LOS DESAfflPARADOS (OUR LADY OF THE ABANDONED)

In Bulletin #6 we announced the authorization for use of a special postal cancellation by Spain, for use May 11-13, 1963, commemorating The Most Holy Virgin of the Abandoned, Patroness of Valencia. Illustrated below is the cover. The story of Our Lady under this title was taken from Father Horn's article in the Feb. 1956 issue of THE AGE OF MARY for the stamp depicting Our Lady of the Abandoned (Scott #806) issued by Spain for Marian Year.

VALENCIA

I. «. 712

Our Lady, under this title, has been the Patroness of the city of Valencia since 1885. The statue, a wood carving of about 1410, is over the high altar of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Abandoned, built between 1652 and 1657, which is reached by taking a lofty stone bridge from the north side of the Cathedral of Valencia across the Plaza Almoine. The statue is a little more than six feet high. Our Lady holds the Divine Infant in her left arm, and a branch of white lilies (of pure silver) in her right hand. To either side at her feet and under the outer robes, protected by her mantle, is a child, these children being the symbols of her title "Of the Abandoned." The hair on the heads of both figures is real; that of the Infant falls in long beautiful curls. The head of Our Lady is inclined in an attitude of tender solicitude for those who seek her intercession, and because of this position the people of Valencia lovingly call her their "Cheperudeta" (the humpbacked).The statue was crowned in 1914.

In 1380, with the aid of the King of Aragon, there was founded in Valencia a Brotherhood to protect abandoned children and foundlings, which provided shelter and care for them. The Brotherhood was placed under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, and as funds were gradually augmented there was built a chapel in which was to be placed a statue of Our Lady to be obtained when funds became available. This small but very necessary business detail was placed under the supervision of Fray Juan Giraberto Jofre. During this period many poor people sought assistance and alms from religious houses. Three young pilgrims pre­sented themselves at this chapel, seeking hospitality, and on hearing there was no statue in the chapel, offered to carve one gratuitously and promised to have it completed in three days if necessary materials were provided and a room put at their disposal wherein they could work, but that under no circumstances were they to be observed or disturbed. Fray Jofre obtained the wood, tools, three days food, and a private room in the house of a blind woman. The three men shut themselves in the room. After three days Fray Jofre and several of the Brotherhood anxiously waited for delivery of the statue, but none came; when the suspense was unbearable, they went to the room and receiving no answer, entered. There were no pilgrims in-the room, but in the center of the room was a most beautiful

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statue of the Blessed mother. The blind woman suddenly recovered her sight as she stood before the statue, and almost wild with joy declared that the three pilgrims had actually been three angels.

In 1646 a devastating epidemic struck Valencia. The people had recourse to the "Virgin of the Abandoned" and the city was delivered from the plague. For public processions, since the beginning of the 19th century, an exact replica of this statue is kept in the Cathedral of Valencia, and since it is in the custody of the Cathedral Chapter it is called "Nuestra Senora del Cabildo" (Our Lady of the Chapter). This statue was solemnly crowned in 1922. *»«-*-*****-

GERMANY; Herford - Postal Cancellation t-2.9

This postal cancellation has incorporated in the design the MADONNA on the left, a vine climbing around a cross which sits a white dove kneeling on the right,history was extracted from the Dec issue of the German ted by Mr. and Mrs.

, on top of , and a beggar

The interesting 1961

GABRIEL and transla- F. H. Benjert.

Abbess and delivered Mary's message: "Grace be to you and your daughters. If you will beautify your life with piety, and since you wish to en­large the buildings of your establishment, then Mary herself will come here, her chosen place of worship, and day and night beseech Her Divine Son to protect you from the fury of the barbarians."

from ancient books,This account, taken tells of a beggar, dressed in tattered clothes andHerford. He celebration and Protase

very hungry, on his way to wished to participate in the of the Feast of Sts. Gervase becausi he had heard that

abundant gifts would be distributed the poor on this occasion.

among

the him. her

Counfounded by

In fear and astonishment the Abbess reflected on the greatness and significance of the mess­age and on the lowliness of the messenger. She turned to the Bishop of Paderborn, ffleinwerk, and to the religious in neighboring convents, and in prayer and fasting they sought enlight- ment from above. Then they enforced on the beggar the fire and water test, but neither boiling water nor glowing hot irons prevailed upon him. They then went to the place where Our Lady appeared to the beggar, and found the Cross, on top of which sat

there the DovePassing through the deep thicket of

woods the mother of God appeared to Her mantle was as white as snow and face shone as lightningthe happening, the beggar fell to his knees; Mary touched him, called him by name, and said "Why do you not ask my name and the reason for my apparition?

through whose were opened him instruct- Canoness to in return she

Iam Mary, the Mother of God, birth the portals of heaven to mankind." She then gave ions to tell the Abbess and increase their sanctity andwould forever shelter and protect them and their church would become a chosen sanctuary for the afflicted, and in this sanctuary she would let herself be known to all those who sought her and all pru­dent requests would be granted. The beggar told Mary, "Who would believe me, a poor beggar, one who does not even have a com­mand of the language?" Mary then asked him to erect a cross on the place where she stood, and when he returned with the women they would all see Her, sitting n the cross in the form of a Dove. The man followed the instructions, then continued on his way to Herford. After having prayed long and earnestly, he called on the

A Basilica was built on the mountain and called "To the Cross." The church was con­secrated in 1011 by the Bishop of Paderborn. Herford thus became a renowned place of pil­grimage, and to this date, through the inter­cession of Our Lady, many miracles occur.*****HUNGARY: Mariagydd - Postal Cancellation £-3

In 1948 the largest Marian pilgrimage place in Southern Hungary, Mariagydd, celebrated the 800th anniversary of its existence. This cele­bration was one of the last and largest manif­estations in which Cardinal Prince Primate Mind- zenty participated. The twin-towered pilgri­mage church is not as large as it appears to be on the cancellation, and dates back to the time of King Keza II, at which time it was still a small chapel.

During the time it was ruled by the Turks it was misused as a mosque. After the Turks came into the hands of Protestants, surrounding vicinity, as well as the Mariagytld, is still mostly reformed, year 16B7 the Church came again into of the Catholics and from then on pilgrimaoes began. Until the secularization of the Fran-

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by Herford

departed it Today the village of

In the the hands

ciscan Monastery in 1961, the Madonna Shrine was taken care of by the Francis­cans; however, today it is still visited by many.

The Madonna can be seen between the towers on the cancellation. The text reads: "1148- Jubilee of the pilgrimage place Mariagydd- 1948." The wording below reads: "Holy Vir­gin of MariagyiJd, Help Us Hungarians." (Translated from the Sept. 1959 issue of the German GABRIEL by Mr.& Mrs. Benjert.)

*****STAR OF THE SEA is a popular interpreta­tion of "Miryam", the Hebrew original of the name of Mary. Its usage has been traced to the year 400, eventually find­ing its way to Western vocabulary.

*****

HISTORY OF RELIGION ON POSTAGE STAMPS, by F. Harvey Morse.—Ute have received for re­view the above handbook and find it may be of interest and assistance to the general collector of Religion on Stamps. Volume 1 begins with the Genesis and goes through 1648, treating and illustrating stamps of all religions during this period. The Life of Christ covers eleven pages. ffladonna Stamps are listed under the subtitles cover­ing the Birth of Christ through the Flight into Egypt. ATA Handbook #36, published by American Topical Association, 3300 No. 50th St., Milwaukee 16, Wisconsin, USA. Price is $4 for Vol. 1, or 36 for the two volumes, with Vol. 2 scheduled for June delivery.

*****

OUR LADY OF PHILATELY

The following appeared in the April 1963 issue of the Spanish Philatelic Magazine, "INFOR- MACION FILATELICA", with the design of "Our Lady of Philately" heading the column on Marian Philately."The Marian Philatelic Study Group of the United States, which, under the editorship of W. J. Hoffman, has such vitality, has demonstrated a desire to accentuate each and every time the appearance of Mary in the world of Philately, has conceived and given to the public a new title in honor of the Virgin - "Our Lady of Philately." For this title a sketch of a modern image, executed by Sister M. Gervina, of the Franciscan Sisters of Per­petual Adoration, Viterbo College, La Crosse, Wisconsin, represents the Mother of God in a praying attitude, around which is the inscription "Our Lady of Philately." This Mario- logical postal event has had a place recently in the United States for the first time, and under the sponsorship of the Marian Philatelic Study Group the 25th of December, 1962, in the city of Inglewood, the office of this Marian Philatelic Study Group, there was used on a meter cancellation this Marian postmark representing the graceful image of "Our Lady of Philately." The Nativity, the grand feast of "Christmas", was given the beautiful date for the Virgin Mary to make its first appearance under this title in the world of U.S. stamps." *****

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement is also given to Sister M. Alonza, FSPA, for her assistance in securing the services of Sister M. Gervina to design the beautiful "Our Lady of Phila­tely. " *****

NEW M E M B E R SAlexander J. Cowan Mrs. Dorothy Guenther Erwin C. Hartung Rev.Palmer Heyde, M.S.C.

Peeters JozefJoseph J. KayWilliam J. MacDonaldRichard MayerJohn PonsokMary Quinn,Vic WaillyMr.& Mrs. R. H. Yurcek

5043 Lake Charles Dr. N, St.Petersburg 9, Florida. 135 N. Adams St., Westmont, Illinois.4208 Barrington Road, Baltimore 29, Maryland. Pater-Kapelaan, Van O.L.Vrouw C/H H. Hart Stwg. op Brussels 127 - Walfergem-Asse, Belgium 73 Nijlensteenweg, Bevel, Belgium.11919 Glenfield Avenue, Detroit 13, Michigan.8 Folsom Street, Dorchester 25, Massachusetts.760 West End Avenue, New York 23, New York.37 Payson Avenue, New York 34, New York.473 S. Warren Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.P. 0. Box 26, Roxbury 19, Massachusetts. Sherburn, Minnesota.*****

SPECIAL NOTICE — CHANGE OF ADDRESS — After August 1, 1963, the business address for THE MARIAN PHILATELIC STUDY GROUP and U. J. HOFFMAN. Editor, will be:

424 Crystal View Avenue Orange, California, U.S.A.

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